Chapman, Merle Francis

Merle Francis Chapman, 78, of Pinehurst, North Carolina passed away January 30, 2011. Mr. Chapman was born December 11, 1932 and raised in Chenoa, Illinois where he graduated from Chenoa High School and enlisted in the Air Force for four years, he served his country during the Korean conflict. He flew air weather service missions over the Pacific, Bering Sea, and the North Pole. Mr. Chapman‘s career led him to concentrate in the grain elevator industry. Several highlights for him included serving as Director, Farmers‘ Grain Dealer Association, President of the Illinois Grain and Feed Association, Member of the Illinois Advisory Board for Farmland Industries and past Chairman of their Association Education Committee. Merle and Margene moved to Pinehurst, NC in 2001. Merle became very active in his parish, Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church. He served the Church as an usher, an active member of Knights of Columbus, Chairman of the Defibrillator Committee, Chairman of the Adopt a Child program, and many other roles. He was passionate about spending time with his family, grandkids, his Church family, and Midland family. Gardening became a special hobby for him later in life, and he always remained committed to his Chicago Bears. He will be missed by so many. Mr. Chapman married Margene Lea Bauman January 2, 1953, in Bloomington Illinois. In addition to his wife Mr. Chapman is survived by: son Douglas Chapman and grandchildren Nick, Ethan and Collin of Wake Forrest, NC; son Dennis Chapman and his wife Kathy, grandchildren Sarah and Dylan of South Riding, Va.; and son Greg Chapman and his wife Julie, grandchildren Scott and Steven of Potomac Md.; plus a twin brother Dale Chapman and his wife Patricia of Chenoa, Illinois. Mr. Chapman‘s Funeral Mass will be held on Friday February 4, 2011 at 10am at Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church in Pinehurst with Rev. James M. Labosky officiating. A Vigil for the Deceased will be Thursday February 3, 2011 from 6pm to 8pm at Boles Funeral Home in Southern Pines. The Rite of Committal will be in Chenoa Cemetery, Chenoa, Illinois at a later date. Memorials may be made to the Sacred Heart‘s Knights of Columbus “Adopt a Child” program at PO Box 1768 Pinehurst, NC 28370, or a charity of ones choice.